PPP chairman says democratic forces should remain willing to seek a mandate from the people at every level of government.
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 24th, 2026) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday urged the government to move forward with local government elections in Punjab and Islamabad, saying strong local institutions are vital for democratic governance and public representation.
Addressing the National Assembly, Bilawal questioned the continued delay in local bodies polls in Punjab and challenged the ruling party to announce an election schedule. He said democratic forces should remain willing to seek a mandate from the people at every level of government.
The PPP chairman noted that local government elections had been held in areas governed by his party and stressed that similar elections should be conducted in other parts of the country without delay. He also called for local government polls in Islamabad, saying the electoral process should be completed within the prescribed legal framework.
Bilawal said effective local governments play a key role in addressing public issues and improving service delivery. He maintained that holding local bodies elections should take precedence over discussions on constitutional reforms.
Referring to Gilgit-Baltistan, he said the PPP, in cooperation with its political allies, was moving towards forming a government and intended to hold local government elections within the next 90 days.
Speaking on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Bilawal expressed concern over recent political developments and urged all stakeholders to pursue dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. He said consultation and engagement were essential for maintaining stability and avoiding further tensions.
The PPP chairman also criticised comments made by a Federal minister, alleging that the remarks had contributed to unrest in AJK. He called on the federal government to address the issue and exercise caution when dealing with sensitive political matters.
Bilawal proposed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman be allowed to play a role in facilitating discussions between the AJK government and protesting groups in an effort to reach an amicable solution.
He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure better coordination within the government and stressed the importance of political harmony and consensus in safeguarding national interests.
